If you are trying to remember your Enneagram type, or your Myers Briggs results, your way off, let me explain.
Our articles this week deal with one of the most common obstacles encountered in responses to homelessness. These acronyms represent the phrases "Not In My Back Yard," "Yes In My Back Yard," and "Yes In God's Back Yard." They categorize different common responses to proposed building projects that would serve homeless people.
Let's start with the objections, or the NIMBYs in our communities. When people oppose service-oriented building projects one of the first objections they raise is about property values. They believe that their property values will decrease if a service organization moves into their neighborhood. Actually, it makes sense that people would object to any changes in their neighborhood that would damage their investment value. However, are they correct? Will low-income housing decrease the property values? Actually, no. Several sources out of California , where property values get almost as much attention as movie star fashion choices, show us that in most cases property values increase. In a few studies, results showed no influence, but most of the time, neighborhoods become more desirable when there are a variety of property types. Property value damage is not a valid objection.
Opinion: Stop worrying, NIMBYS — affordable housing shouldn't squash your property values
www.latimes.com
Now, this does not mean you can throw any kind of service in any kind of neighborhood. Service providers need to understand neighborhood concerns and plan accordingly. For example, in Portland, neighbors are getting fed up with the temporary camp set up on their block. Largely unregulated, the activity from this project is quickly proving NIMBY naysayers correct. Temporary solutions and designated "safe" camp locations struggle to maintain order. Illegal activity spreads to surrounding streets and no one is happy. Having a permeant building with security, accommodations for people during the day and night along with collaborative agreements from local law enforcement to police the area outside of the facility will make a huge difference. Also, open communication between the service organization and local neighborhood groups will keep both groups accountable to a standard for the area. Being a good neighbor is not one sided, everyone involved needs to take responsibility for their side of the street.
New 'Safe Rest Village' for homeless becomes hotbed of drug-dealing
www.dailymail.co.uk
And finally, something we have mentioned before in the news brief, but I believe it deserves another look, YIGBY. Yes In God's Back Yard is a movement to encourage places of worship, mostly churches, to build low-income housing on their property. Usually, churches are not financially strong enough to undertake such a project, so local governments are trying to help them along. Removing some of the permitting fees, survey expenses and labor costs encourage congregations to consider such a project. Additionally, when the church community develops a relational connection with those in the housing project the increase of social support brings health to everyone involved. It is a wonderful and innovative way to address a tough problem.
www.sfchronicle.com
So, why talk about all these "BY's" right now?
Well, these days, people are often asking "what can I do?" Homelessness is becoming more and more public, and people may be asking you what they can do.
Speaking out against NIMBYism may be one of the needed and effective ways to support the poor and homeless. Spreading the truth about property values, explaining to neighbors that the project will be managed both inside and outside and then helping to build a relationship between the neighborhood and the service provider could be transformational. Being a positive voice in such a traditionally contentions setting could be difficult, but it is that kind of effort that changes lives.